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Hormone replacement therapy and glucose tolerance in EPIC-Norfolk: a population-based study
L A Sargeant1, N J Wareham, K T Khaw
1Department of Community Medicine, University of Cambridge, Institute of Public Health, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 2SR, UK. lincoln.sargeant@srl.cam.ac.uk
Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews
|March 9, 2000
Summary
Postmenopausal women using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) showed lower glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) levels. This study suggests HRT is not associated with impaired glucose tolerance in this population.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic Health
- Women's Health
Background:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use impacts glucose homeostasis in postmenopausal women.
- Long-term effects of HRT on glucose tolerance remain unclear.
- Investigating the link between HRT and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) in non-diabetic women is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) concentration and HRT use.
- To assess glucose tolerance in non-diabetic postmenopausal women using HRT.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 2753 postmenopausal women (aged 45-74) from the EPIC-Norfolk study.
- Data collected via health and lifestyle questionnaires and HbA1C blood assays.
- HRT use categorized as current, former, or never users.
Main Results:
- Current HRT users (23%) had significantly lower mean HbA1C compared to former (14%) and never users.
- Lower HbA1C in current HRT users was independent of age, BMI, WHR, and other confounders.
- Adjusted odds ratio for highest vs. lowest HbA1C quintile was 0.52 for current HRT users.
Conclusions:
- Current HRT users exhibit lower HbA1C levels, unexplained by known confounders.
- A 'healthy user effect' cannot be entirely ruled out.
- Current HRT use does not appear to be associated with impaired glucose tolerance in postmenopausal women.